The Woman in Black (2012) Review - Veda Rains

CBS films must be patting themselves on the back for picking up the $3 million domestic distribution of the gothic horror film, The Woman in Black. The film is expected to make over $21 milllion this weekend and marks Daniel Radcliffe's first onscreen adult role.
The story was first released as a novel in 1983, followed by a stage and screen adaptation (the latter of which, starred Radcliffe's on-screen Harry Potter father, Adrian Rawlins) that same decade.
The tale follows Arthur Kipps, a sad widower who is sent by his law firm to settle the estate of a deceased old woman in a small town. Once he arrives, he is immediately met with angry townsfolk who won't exactly say why they're angry (presumably because they know his business), only that Kipps needs to head back to where he came from. It would have been somewhat helpful for them to actually give reason or share clues to why he avoid the old woman's home (instead of waiting until it's too late), but I suppose it's supposed to add to the mystery. Unfortunately, it also makes most of the townsfolk one-dimensional, save for Daily, a wealthy sensible man who befriends Kipps.
The story is chock-full of moments that will make any viewer jump, as Kipps digs deeper and deeper into the old woman's affairs and sees the woman in black for the first time. The woman is extremely creepy as are the toys in her secret room-seriously, don't get your kids, friends, or family members creepy toys!
Radcliffe turns in an exceptional performance as the tortured Kipps, proving he has a hopeful film career ahead of him. Once Kipps learns the story of the woman in black, and believes he can make things right and rid the town of her, it's very clear that the woman's work will never be done. I wasn't sure if this was supposed to be the case, or if Kipps truly believed that he was rid of the woman in black (most likely, he just expressed hope). Of course, once his child meets him at the train station, he clearly wants to play it safe.
Overall, this film was a great choice for a rainy day. It has all the makings of a classic horror story: mystery, secrecy, scary moments that will make you jump, redemption and hope. The end was particularly touching, but not for the reasons countless other horror stories have forged. While I would not mark it down as a masterpiece, it's faults are few and it's definitely worth a viewing or two-just don't watch it alone.